Molecular analysis of black coatings and anointing fluids from ancient Egyptian coffins, mummy cases, and funerary objects - PubMed (original) (raw)

Molecular analysis of black coatings and anointing fluids from ancient Egyptian coffins, mummy cases, and funerary objects

Kate Fulcher et al. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2021.

Abstract

Black organic coatings and ritual deposits on ancient Egyptian coffins and cartonnage cases are important and understudied sources of evidence about the rituals of funerary practice. Sometimes, the coatings were applied extensively over the surface of the coffin, resembling paint; in other cases, they were poured over the mummy case or wrapped body, presumably as part of a funerary ritual. For this study, multiple samples of black coatings and ritual liquids were taken from 20 Egyptian funerary items dating to a specific time period (c. 943 to 716 BC). Multiple sampling from each object enabled several comparisons to be made: the variability of the black coating within one application, the variability between two applications on one object, and the variability from object to object. All samples were analyzed for lipids using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and 51 samples from across the 20 items were further analyzed for the presence of bitumen using solid phase separation followed by selected ion monitoring GC-MS. The majority of the black substances were found to comprise a complex mixture of organic materials, including bitumen from the Dead Sea, conifer resin, and Pistacia resin, providing evidence for a continuation in international trade between Egypt and the eastern Mediterranean after the Late Bronze Age. Both the coating and the anointing liquid are very similar to mummification balms, pointing to parallels with Egyptian embalming rituals and raising questions about the practical aspects of Egyptian funerary practice.

Keywords: ancient Egypt; archaeology; chromatography; coffins; mass spectrometry.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interest.

Figures

Fig. 1.

EA6662. Mummified male called Djedkhonsuiufankh in cartonnage case in wooden coffin. The coffin has been coated with type 1 black substance, and a large quantity of type 2 black anointing fluid has been poured over the top of the mummy case, cementing it into the coffin.

Fig. 2.

Partial total ion chromatogram (5 to 38 min) for method A scan of C5 type 1 (sample R7, black coating from inside wall of coffin) and C5 type 2 (sample R1, anointing fluid pooled inside coffin behind head). FAn = fatty acid with n carbons; DAn = diacid with n carbons; MAG n = monacylglycerol with n carbons; VA = vanillic acid; Wn = wax ester with n carbons; DHA = dehydroabietic acid; and A = alkane.

Fig. 3.

Total ion chromatograms for method A scan for C13 type 1 (sample R13, black coating from the underside of the coffin base) and C13 type 2 (sample R1, anointing fluid from mummy wrappings). The top chromatogram shows TAGs and higher stearic than palmitic acid, in contrast to the bottom chromatogram, which shows the diacids peaking at 9 carbons and higher palmitic than stearic acid. For key, see Fig. 2.

Fig. 4.

Partial chromatograms of SIM m/z 191 (Left, 30 to 80 min) and SIM m/z 217 (Right, 40 to 72 min) for C2 type 2 (sample R7), C5 type 1 (sample R8), reference material from the Dead Sea, and C1 type 2 (sample R1), prepared using method B (first elute). m/z 191 chromatograms show positions of terpanes (20/3 to 30/3), hopanes (29αβH to 35αβH; hopanes 31 to 34 are split into S and R), 18α-22,29,30-trisnorneohopane (Ts), 17α-22,29,30-trisnorhopane (Tm), and gammacerane (GCR). m/z 217 chromatograms show Cn long chain ααα- and αββ-steranes with n carbon atoms in R and S configurations.

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Molecular analysis of black coatings and anointing fluids from ancient Egyptian coffins, mummy cases, and funerary objects - PubMed (original) (raw)